Greetings fellow travellers. I plan to be vacationing in Italy staying in Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast, followed by a stay at Santa Margherita followed by a stay at Lake Como. I am keen to understand the most effective way to travel commencing with Sorrento and moving north through SM on our way to Como.

Any great ideas out there?

Warm regards
Ron

Hey Ron!

wow! Your destinations sound so varied! that's great!

Are you planning to rent a car or take the train? I often take the train when I'm travelling very long distances around Italy - find it more relaxing than having to navigate.

But I guess it depends on whether you'll need a car at your various destinations - will you be staying out in the country or in the towns?

Hi Michael

Thanks for your reply. We will most probably resort to rail travel unless the logistics do not permit.

Ron

Sorrento to Santa Margherita
Sorrento to Napoli Garibaldi station via Circumvesuviana train (a local commuter rail line)
Go upstairs. The station above is called Napoli Centrale and is part of the Italian national rail system.
Train from Napoli Centrale to Santa Margherita. This may require a change or two of train along the way.

Santa Margherita to Lake Como
From Santa Margherita your train route will probably take you through Milano Centrale and may require a hcange in Genova. To suggest the best option beyond Milano, we need to know your final destination on Lake Como. There is more than one train option.

-One train line from Milano Centrale takes you to the city of Como at the south end of the lake. From there one can travel by slow or high-speed ferry, bus, or private car to other parts of the lake. The popular central part of the lake (Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio) is about an hour from Como city by fastest transportation.

-Another train line travels north along the east side of the lake. Many take this train if heading to the central part of the lake, since the train stops at Varenna-Esino. From there, it's a short walk to the ferry station and a quick ride across the lake to Bellagio or Menaggio.

You can research train schedules here, though it won't show the Circumvesuviana:

http://www.trenitalia.com/homepage_en.html

ellenem has nailed it!

for clarity:
-Another train line FROM MILANO CENTRALE travels north along the east side of the lake.

It's a long way from Napoli to S.M.(I did the reverse last December), you might like to to consider flying from Napoles to Genoa, then train to S.M.